#goatama

Fic art commissioned by the wonderful @petite-neko ❤

Gintama Ep 326

Siddhartha: The Hero - Siddhartha is the novel's protagonist, he is the son of a respected Brahmin and leaves his family, and everything he knows on a quest to find enlightenment. In the beginning, Siddhartha believes that a life of spiritual teachings, and meditations will lead him to Nirvana, but then comes to realize the inadequacy of such a life, and turns to a hedonistic life, full of money, power, and sexual desires. Siddhartha realizes that this lifestyle is lacking, and eventually attains lessons of thought, and lessons of the senses. "With your permission, Father, I have come to tell you that I wish to leave your house tomorrow and join the ascetics. I wish to become a Samana. I trust my father will not object." Does he find the enlightenment he spends his life seeking for? Read the book to find out!

Govinda: Shadow - Govinda is Siddhartha's childhood friend. They are both on the search for enlightenment, but Govinda choses to take a different path than Siddhartha. After both Siddhartha and Govinda leave their lives, as sons of respected Brahmins, to live among the ascetics, they come across the Illustrious One, Govinda choses to become a monk, and follow the Illustrious one and to attain enlightenment through spiritual teachings. Siddhartha continues along his journey, without Govinda by his side. Through spiritual teachings, does Govinda have any better luck attaining enlightenment?

Goatama, The Illustrious One, Buddha: The Mentor/ Wise Old Man- The historical founder of Buddhism, his first name is also Siddhartha. Siddhartha does not chose to follow him, like Govinda does, although Buddha is enlightened, and has reached enlightenment, Siddhartha's ideal goal. Why doesn't Siddhartha chose to follow him, if Goatama has reached Siddhartha's ideal goal?